JMU faculty saxophonist David Pope presents a performance and presentation that centers on his creative approaches to interpretation, improvisation, and composition. Pope will share a few of his calligraphic scores and discuss how learning to write with his “opposite” hand opened up new possibilities in his work. The program features classical, jazz, and pop styles, and concludes with a Q&A.

David Pope is a celebrated concert and jazz saxophonist, composer and author. DownBeat magazine named him its “Outstanding Collegiate Jazz Instrumentalist” in 1994. Since then, he has performed and given classes around the world, including Russia, Germany, Scotland, Switzerland, and Bangkok, Thailand. He was named Distinguished Teacher of the College of Visual and Performing Arts in 2012.

Widely recognized for his mastery of multiphonics, Pope can be heard on Open Loop Records, Albany Records, Dazzle Recordings, and with Barry Long’s Freedom in the Air. He published over 100 articles in Saxophone Journal and Saxophone Today, and served on the jury of the prestigious $100,000 M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition.

Known for eclectic programming, he effortlessly shifts from classical and jazz to Bowie and beyond. He has a popular YouTube channel, and blogs as “Practice Monster.” Pope endorses R.S. Berkeley “Virtuoso” saxophones.